Autism Speaks-supported research at INSAR 2022

May 3, 2022

The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, the world’s largest gathering of autism researchers, is being held both virtually and in-person on May 11-14, 2022 in Austin, TX. Each year, the conference disseminates the latest research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and encourages scientists to share their newest findings and innovations.

Autism Speaks is a longtime sponsor of the conference and proudly supports a number of studies that will be featured at the annual meeting. Below is a daily agenda of this year’s posters, oral presentations and other events that feature Autism Speaks science staff, funded researchers and clinical partners.

Click here to view this year's INSAR coverage.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT

PRESS CONFERENCE

Supported by the Autism Speaks MSSNG database and Autism Speaks science staff

Authors: Brett Trost, Dean Hartley* et al.
Institution: The Hospital for Sick Children, Autism Speaks et al.
Title: “Genomic Architecture of Autism Spectrum Disorder from Comprehensive Whole-Genome Sequence Annotation”
Summary: The goal of this study was to utilize whole-genome sequencing on data collected through the MSSNG database and other genetic datasets to identify what types of DNA changes cause ASD.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT

POSTER SESSION: Interventions – Non-pharmacologic – School-Age, Adolescent, Adult

Abstract ID #39582 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network

Authors: Jean Gehricke, Lea Ann Lowery et al.
Institution: University of California – Irvine, University of Missouri
Title: "The Effects of an Eight-Week Physical Exercise Intervention, LEGO and Minecraft Activities on Anxiety in Underserved Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder"
Summary: The goal of this study was to examine whether an 8-week physical exercise intervention could reduce anxiety in younger autistic children from underserved populations, and to compare to that to a sedentary LEGO/Minecraft intervention.

POSTER SESSION: Interventions – Non-pharmacologic – School-Age, Adolescent, Adult

Abstract ID #40103 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network

Authors: Kelly B. Beck, Jessie B. Northrup et al.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Title: “Community-Informed Development and Pilot of the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement Team-Based Program (EASE-Teams)”
Summary: The goal of this study was to adapt the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) program, a program used to improve emotional dysregulation, for autistic individuals aged 7 to 25 with and without co-occurring intellectual disability.

POSTER SESSION: Interventions – Non-pharmacologic – Preschool & Infant

Abstract ID #40677 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Public Health program

Author: Cecilia Montiel-Nava
Institution: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Title: "Implementing the WHO Caregivers Skills Training Program via Telehealth in Rural Missouri"

POSTER SESSION: Interventions – Non-pharmacologic – Preschool & Infant

Abstract ID# 40427 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Public Health program and Autism Speaks science staff

Authors: Samantha Wunderlich, Jinan Zeidan, Alaa Ibrahim, Martina Micai, Francesca Fulceri, Chiara Servili, Pamela Dixon*, Andy Shih*, Maria Luisa Scattoni and Mayada Elsabbagh
Institutions: McGill University, Instituto Superiore di Sanità, Autism Speaks
Title: “Systematic Review of Very Early Life Interventions for Infants At-Risk or Diagnosed with Neuro-developmental Disorders”
Summary: The goal of this study was to examine if very early interventions can improve outcomes in children aged 0-3 years old who are at risk of neuro-developmental disorders.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT

ORAL SESSION: Service Delivery / Systems of Care

Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network

Authors: Kristin Sohl et al.
Institution: University of Missouri
Title: “ECHO Autism: Mental Health: An Approach to Improved Mental Health Care for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum”
Summary: The goal is to describe the process of adapting the ECHO Autism project framework to families of children with autism; review the program’s impact on family knowledge and caregiving skills; and demonstrate the reach of the program.

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT

POSTER SESSION: Family Issues and Stakeholder Experiences I

Abstract ID #41046 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network

Authors: Amy Hess et al.
Institution: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Title: "Family ECHO: All Teach, All Learn Model to Build Family Knowledge and Ability to Care for Children with Autism"
Summary: The goal is to describe the process of adapting the Project ECHO project framework to families of children with autism; review the program’s impact on family knowledge and caregiving skills; and demonstrate the reach of the program.

Friday, May 13, 2022

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. CT

SIG SESSION: Reduction of severe and challenging behaviors in children, teens and adults with severe autism

Supported by Autism Speaks science staff

Author: Donna Murray*
Institution: Autism Speaks

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT

PANEL SESSION: Service Delivery/Systems of Care

Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network

Author: Beth Malow
Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Title: “Project ECHO: Autism – Adult Healthcare: A Novel Learning Community for Primary Care Providers”

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT

POSTER SESSION: Diagnostic, Behavioral & Intellectual Assessment II

Abstract ID #41081 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Predoctoral Fellowship (Grant #12841)

Author: Einat Waizbard Bartov
Institution: University of California, Davis
Title: “Psychopathological correlates of autism symptom severity change during middle childhood”
Summary: The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between change in the severity of children's autism symptoms and the emergence of co-occurring mental health conditions during middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11.

POSTER SESSION: Adult Outcome: Medical, Cognitive, Behavioral

Abstract ID #39453 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Predoctoral Fellowship (Grant #12854)

Author: Elaine Clarke
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Title: “Vocational Trajectories and Well-Being in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder”
Summary: The goal of this study was to characterize stability and change in employment and related vocational activities—such as post-secondary education, vocational training, and volunteering—in 151 autistic adults over a 10-year period and examine the relationship between vocational activities and well-being.

POSTER SESSION: Adult Outcome: Medical, Cognitive, Behavioral

Abstract ID #41168 – Supported by Autism Speaks Adult Transition Research (Grant #11923)

Author: Kristen MacKenzie
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Title: “Developing a Measure of Adult Function Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Conceptual Model and Item Generation of the Adult Functioning Scale”
Summary: The goal of this study was to develop a new measure of adult functional outcomes in the areas of social functioning, employment and autonomy, and then conduct in-depth interviews with autistic adults and caregivers of autistic adults to elicit feedback on the content, flow and scope of the measure items.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT

ORAL SESSION: Rare Genetic Variants Associated with ASD

Supported by the Autism Speaks MSSNG database and Autism Speaks science staff

Authors: Brett Trost, Dean Hartley* et al.
Institution: The Hospital for Sick Children, Autism Speaks et al.
Title: “Genomic Architecture of Autism Spectrum Disorder from Comprehensive Whole-Genome Sequence Annotation”
Summary: The goal of this study was to utilize whole-genome sequencing on data collected through the MSSNG database and other genetic datasets to identify what types of DNA changes cause ASD.

Saturday, May 14, 2022

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. CT

SIG SESSION: Improving Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in Autism Research: Bridging the Gap Between Advanced Psychometric Techniques and Stakeholder Priorities

Supported by Autism Speaks Adult Transition Research (Grant #11923)

Author: Carla Mazefsky
Institution: University of Pittsburgh

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT

PANEL SESSION: International and Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Understanding and Addressing Family Needs in Very Low-Income Contexts: Perspectives from Sub-Saharan Africa

Supported by the Autism Speaks Public Health program (Grant #9817)

Author: Rosa Hoekstra
Institution: King's College London

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT

POSTER SESSION: Service Delivery/Systems of Care

Abstract ID #41007 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network and Autism Speaks science staff

Authors: Donna Murray*, Julia Anixt et al.
Institution: Autism Speaks
Title: "Using Quality Improvement Science to Standardize ADHD Care in a Pediatric ASD Population in the Autism Care Network"
Summary: The goal of this study was to implement a clinical pathway for ADHD in children with ASD that improves the identification of ADHD, standardizes care across Network centers and evaluates the impact on health outcomes.

POSTER SESSION: Family Issues and Stakeholder Experiences II

Abstract ID #40325 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Care Network

Authors: Lucy Fell et al.
Institution: Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
Title: "Youth Feedback on a Virtual Mind-Body Group Intervention for Teen Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder"
Summary: The goal of this study was to evaluate an eight-session, virtually delivered resiliency intervention (Stress Management and Resiliency Training-Relaxation Response Resiliency Program) for teenage siblings of children with ASD.

POSTER SESSION: Family Issues and Stakeholder Experiences II

Abstract ID# 40037 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Public Health program
and Autism Speaks science staff

Authors: Afiqah Yusuf, Nicola Wright, Mandy Steiman, Miriam Gonzalez, Arun Karpur*, Andy Shih*, Mayada Elsabbagh and Keiko Shikako-Thomas
Institutions: Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Kings College London, Autism Speaks
Title: “Resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with age, gender, and coping self-efficacy: Insights from children with developmental delays and disabilities”
Summary: The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which age, gender and parent confidence affects resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

POSTER SESSION: Early Development (<48 months)

Abstract ID #40997 – Supported by the Autism Speaks Royal Arch Mason Predoctoral Fellowship (Grant #12303)

Author: Bosi Chen
Institution: San Diego State University
Title: “Multimodal Investigation of Brain Morphology and Local Activity and Connectivity in Young Children with ASD”
Summary: The goal of this study was to investigate how brain structure and function are related in young autistic children compared to typically developing peers in order to understand the typical brain maturational trajectories in young children with ASD.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT

PANEL SESSION: Adult Outcome: Medical, Cognitive, Behavioral: Quality of Life

Supported by the Autism Speaks Postdoctoral Fellowship (Grant #11808)

Author: Goldie McQuaid
Institution: George Mason University
Title: “Later Age of Autism Diagnosis Is Associated with Poorer Mental Health and Subjective Quality of Life in Autistic Adults”

*Autism Speaks science staff